When you’ve got a National Park view to enjoy, you’ve got memories that will last a lifetime.
Whether you’re looking for a short amble with the family, or a heart-pumping weekend adventure, our National Parks have wonderful walks, hikes and rambles for all abilities and interests. Our National Parks are here to be enjoyed by everyone.
Here are a few simple pointers on getting the most out of your next adventure in a National Park:
Have suitable, sturdy and comfortable footwear and take water and snacks with you.
Take a map and a compass – and know how to use them! GPS and phone signal can’t always be relied on in rural areas.
The weather can change quickly, especially on uplands and by the coast, so always take warm layers and a waterproof. In the summer long hours in the sun can burn and cause sunstroke, so wear suncream and a hat.
If you’re likely to be out in the late afternoon, take a torch in case it gets dark!
Follow the countryside code, such as leaving no trace of your visit and taking litter home with you.
Breathtaking, mysterious, beautiful and inspiring – National Parks are all these things. But there are some walks that have an extra sprinkling of spectacular, with the kind of uplifting scenery that will leave a permanent footprint on your bank of feel-good memories. Don’t dare go on any of these walks without a good camera at the ready! Here are five of our favourite walks, suitable for all fitness levels, that are guaranteed to leave you awe-struck:
Seven Sisters, South Downs – These brilliant white cliffs have been used as the backdrop for several Hollywood movies, including Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. When you visit them, you’ll see why! Walking along the cliff tops – from a safe distance of course – may leave you feeling like you’ve stepped into a fairytale.
Inchcailloch Island, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs – Take the water bus from Balmaha to an island known as the ‘jewel in Loch Lomond’s crown’. You’ll find history, legend and unspoilt nature on the island.
Aysgarth Falls and Freeholders’ Wood, Yorkshire Dales – Aysgarth Falls is a spectacular stretch of water in Lower Wensleydale, where the tree-lined River Ure drops over a triple flight of waterfalls seen in the Hollywood blockbuster Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves. The walk takes you through a beautiful nature reserve and you may even catch a glimpse of red squirrels and roe deer.
Barton Broad Boardwalk, Broads – This magical walks takes you on a journey of discovery into a lost world which has remained isolated for half a century. The mystery trail leads through wildlife-filled wet woodland, emerging to give a spectacular view over the broad.
Combe Martin and the Hangmans, Exmoor – This is a five-mile walk beginning in the pretty village of Combe Martin which is well-known for its rocks, minerals and stunning beach. This hill and valley walk offers sensational views from the headland at Great Hangman, Britain’s highest sea cliff.
Our National Parks are home to some of Britain’s most cherished long-distance paths, many of which have been walked by humans for several thousand years and are oozing with historical intrigue.
Whether you follow in the footsteps of Romans along Hadrian’s Wall Path, or explore the stunningly magical beaches of the Pembrokeshire coast, National Trails offer new discoveries and adventures.